I feel it is my duty to comment on the killings in La Vegas and on the need for real control in the purchase of semiautomatic and automatic military-style weapons in our country.
As a veteran and a voter, I am very concerned. When in the U.S. Navy I qualified “expert” with an M-1 rifle and a .45 pistol; it was not an easy task. I know the use and potential danger of firearms.
I am not against hunting, self-defense, target shooting or other types of gun ownership. I do think there should be better limits on who can purchase a weapon and why.
In Canada, our North American neighbor, in order to purchase a gun of any sort there is a requirement to meet in person with a member of law enforcement. That would be a good idea for our country as well.
Also, every weapon sale should be authorized by law enforcement so multiple sales to the same individual should raise some red flags.
As far as the freedoms of the Second Amendment, I feel that the NRA (I was a member of the NRA) is twisting the intent of the Second Amendment since it was passed at a time when we had almost no standing army and local governmental militias; it made sense.
If you want to be a modern militia man or woman, join the National Guard or Reserves.
Let’s put some common-sense limits on weapons of war.
Raymond P. Finney
Pagosa Springs
